A SHOPLIFTER has been sentenced after admitting stealing from a number of shops across Swindon.

He was held as part of Operation Dasher - a high-profile police operation.

James Cherry was charged with the theft of coats from Next at the Orbital Shopping Park, washing powder tablets from Poundstretcher on Regent Street and perfume from Superdrug on The Parade.

The 26-year-old appeared before Swindon magistrates on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to all charges.

Cherry, of Logan Close, was ordered to complete a community order including having drug rehabilitation treatment.

In a different case, police recovered £300 of stolen goods, including perfumes, that were taken from Boots on the Greenbridge Retail Park on December 3.

A 34-year-old local man was initially arrested on suspicion of theft but following our enquiries no further action will now be taken. Police say a known female shoplifter remains outstanding.

Operation Dasher is a high-visibility Swindon policing operation, with dedicated police officers, PCSOs and Special Constables on foot patrol every day in the town centre and old town until Christmas Eve.

A police mobile unit and patrols will cover the five out of town shopping centres and officers in plain clothes are deployed on covert patrols.

The annual seasonal operation is supported by inSwindon Bid’s Street Team, Swindon Borough Council CCTV operators and store security staff.